Dawn Ohlson has been appointed as the 155th President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
As the Vice President of Engineering at Ultra Cyber, Dawn brings over three decades of global experience in Systems Engineering and technical leadership, including senior roles at Thales and Northrop Grumman. An Oxford graduate, Dawn began her career in avionics and rose to become Engineering Director at Thales Avionics UK. Her passion for nurturing future talent has earned her prestigious accolades, including the WISE Excellence Award and the First Women Award for Engineering.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dawn has been a tireless advocate for STEM outreach. She has worked extensively with schools, universities and industry bodies to inspire the next generation of engineers, particularly young women, believing strongly that engineering should make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Her outreach work includes mentoring schemes, public engagement events, and advisory roles on educational initiatives. A Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the IET, Dawn is renowned for her commitment to innovation, diversity, professional development and volunteering.
On becoming IET President, Dawn said: “I feel humbled and honoured to be here. Humbled by the people who have gone before me and by the task ahead, and honoured to be trusted with ideas, plans and the future of the IET – I believe in the brilliance of this community. This role as IET President is the ultimate volunteer role. And throughout my career, it’s the volunteer roles that have pushed me the hardest and made the biggest impact.”
Dawn will take office from 1 October 2025, succeeding business leader Sir Warren East CBE. Past IET Presidents to have led the global engineering institution include a range of prominent leaders in the industry, such as Artificial Intelligence expert Dr Gopichand Katragadda, Sir Robin Saxby, ex-CEO and Chair of ARM Holdings, and Professor Danielle George CBE, Professor of Radio Frequency Engineering and Associate Vice President at the University of Manchester and Chief Scientific Advisor for National Security.
Ed Almond, Chief Executive and Secretary at the IET, added: “We’re proud to welcome Dawn as our new President for the coming year. As a highly respected and passionate engineer whose work in Defence and National Security has made us all safer, Dawn brings a wealth of experience and dedication to this role. Her leadership will be instrumental in continuing to expand the reach and influence of the IET, while also highlighting the vital role of volunteering in our community. Engineering has the power to transform lives – and Dawn’s unwavering commitment to championing innovation and nurturing future talent is truly inspiring. We know that she will continue to drive our vision of engineering a better world: one that is inclusive, impactful, and guided by purpose.”
In her inaugural President’s Address –The hidden impact of volunteering – Dawn will highlight the vital role of volunteers across the profession. Through a powerful personal story and the launch of key initiatives, she will showcase how volunteering supports skills, networks, and innovation – and why recognising this impact has never been more important.
It will take place on Wednesday 1 October at IET London: Savoy Place and will broadcast live via the IET’s YouTube channel. To find out more and to register your attendance, in-person or online, please visit: theiet.org/presidents-address.